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Scott Boras Overstating His Clients’ Skills season has come early this year

Boras thinking

Usually we have to wait until November to hear Scott Boras oversell his free agent clients, but we have an early preview for Jacoby Ellsbury:

“He has shown he can hit .300 in the big leagues, not once but twice,” Boras, Ellsbury’s agent, told ESPNBoston.com. “He’s at a point in his career he’s proven he can be a No. 3-hitter type of guy, with power. He’s a premium center fielder. Everywhere I go, they all ask. That’s all I can say. You’re talking about teams really coveting this player.”

I like Ellsbury, so don’t consider this hate or anything. But let’s be honest: he showed “power” in exactly one season. Indeed, he’s been an above-average major league hitter (based on OPS+ anyway) exactly once in a full season. And, because of injuries, he’s played only three full seasons.

Now, assuming he’s healthy after his current maladies subside, sure, he’s worth a lot of money because of his speed, his defense and his obvious offensive potential. But let’s not pretend that Ellsbury is some sure-shot, top-shelf free agent talent.